Filing cabinets



Feb. 24, 1970 w.- CHOJVANEC J FILING CABINETS 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 27, 1968 INVENTOR. WILLIAM CHOVANEC ATTORNEY W. CHOVANEC FILING CABINETS Feb. 24, 1970 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 27, 1968 JNVENTOR. WILLIAM CHOVANEC ATTORNEY Pet-.24, 1970 w. cHovANEc FILING CABINETS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 v Filed Feb. 27. 1968 INVENTOR. WILLIAM CHOVANEC 5 AfToRNEY United States Patent 3,497,279 FILING CABENETS William Chovanec, Montvale, N.J., assignor to Art Steel Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 27, 1968, Ser. No. 708,544 Int. Cl. A47b 47/00, 87/00 U.S. Cl. 312-108 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The filing cabinet comprises vertical extruded posts or columns assembled with top and bottom cross-braces slidably engaging T-slots in said posts or columns, to hold the latter in vertical connected positions at the corners of the cabinet. Side and rear panels are slidably engaged with said columns to provide side and rear walls for the cabinet. A bottom pan is fitted on the lower ends of the columns and receives the lower ends of the side and rear panels and provides a bottom wall for the cabinet. A top inverted pan fits onto the upper ends of the columns and provides a top wall for the cabinet.

Drawer tracks are slidably mounted in slots in the posts or columns and are held in vertical spaced positions by spacers also slidable in said slots in said columns. The bottom cross-braces rest on the bottom pan. A bottom plate is supported on said bottom cross-braces, and supports bottom drawer tracks.

The columns are of such nature that multiple-bank cabinets may be assembled in side by side relationship.

The cabinet is arranged to receive drawers from its front open side. On large filing cabinets the cross-braces are used between each pair of superposed drawers, and in such case the drawer track members are welded to said cross-braces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to filing cabinets to receive a plurality of drawers one above the other, such as are used in offices.

Description of the prior art Metal cabinets, as heretofore made, comprised side, rear, top and bottom steel walls welded together and then painted on the outside.

This construction imposed limitations on the appearance. It was not possible to use vinyl coated steel or plastic panels because these could not be Welded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide cabinets of the character described made of knock-down, assembled parts which can be easily shipped and assembled at place of use.

Heretofore such cabinets were made with the side, rear, top and bottom walls welded together and then painted. This construction imposed limitations on appearance because vinyl coated steel or plastic panels could not be used since they could not be welded. In case of vinyl coated steel, welding would destroy the vinyl coating. It is hence another object of this invention to provide a drawer cabinet of the character described comprising ex- 3,49 7,2 79 Patented Feb. 24, 1970 ICC truded posts or columns of aluminum or the like lightweight metal, braced together by steel cross-braces with the side and rear panels slidably assembled with said posts. In such case the panels could be made of vinyl coated steel or of plastic and could have a great variety of designs and colors like Formica sheeting. The strength of the cabinet is then furthermore in the posts and in the cross-bracing and not in the panels (which are then not a structural factor of the unit). The aluminum or other lightweight metal posts can be extruded as necessary. They are self-protecting and need not be coated. The posts are decorative in appearance because they are made of aluminum. The cross-bracing can be bolted or screwed to the posts at pre-punched locations or spacers can be used between cross-braces or between drawer tracks slidably assembled with said posts. The spacers can be of various height to accommodate drawers of various heights. Also the width and length of the cross-braces determines the width and length of the drawers, thereby provided for variation in height, width and length or depth of the drawers.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cabinet construction which will allow assembly of two or more banks of drawers, side by side, with all the posts made of the same extrusion and used for center or intermediate posts between adjacent banks as well as for end or corner posts.

In a modified version, the rear, center or intermediate post may be of an alternate construction to permit separate rear panels for each bank of drawers.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a strong, rugged and durable cabinet construction of the character described which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble, light in weight and which shall yet be attractive in appearance and practical and efficient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings, in which are shown various illustrative embodiments of this invention, 7

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet embodying the invention, with parts broken away and in crosssection;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial, perspective view of a detail illustrating a multiple-bank drawer cabinet construction;

FIG. 5 is a partial, perspective view of a detail;

FIG. 5a is a partial, perspective view of one end of the bottom cross-brace;

FIG. 6 is a partial, perspective view illustrating a single back panel for a multiple-bank drawer cabinet when using similar extrusion posts or columns throughout;

FIG. 7 is a partial, perspective rear view of the lower end of the rear panel shown in FIG. 6, together with the bottom pan;

3 FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 with the bottom pan removed; and

FIG. 9 is a partial, perspective view of a modified construction of a multiple-bank drawer cabinet, using an alternate rear central or intermediate post or column, and a separate rear panel for each bank of drawers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in detail to the drawing, 10 designates a drawer, single bank cabinet embodying the invention. Said cabinet 10 comprises generally of a plurality of coextensive, vertical corner posts 11 all similar in construction and made from the same extrusion. The front corner posts are symmetrically disposed relative to the rear corner posts. The two front corner posts are symmetrical with respect to each other and the two rear corner posts are symmetrical relative to each other. The posts 11 are extruded of aluminum or other light-weight metal. The corner posts 11 are interconnected by one or more steel cross-braces 12 and by bottom cross-ties 13. At the lower end of the posts 11 is a bottom pan 14 and at their upper ends is an inverted top or cover pan 15. Assembled with the corner posts 11 are side panels 16 and a rear panel 17, as will appear hereinafter.

Each corner post 11 comprises a central web 20. Extending from one end of web 20 is a crossing web 21 disposed at right angles to web 20. Extending from the ends of web 21 in parallel equally spaced relation to web 20, are a pair of flanges 22 forming an inner groove 23 and an outer groove 24. At the other end of web 20 is a cross-head 25 at right angles to said web and from which extend flanges 26, equally spaced from and parallel to said web. Flanges 26 extend toward flanges 22 and are in the planes thereof. Flanges 26 form inner and outer grooves 27, 28, similar to and aligned with grooves 23, 24, respectively.

Extending outwardly from the end of cross-head 25 are similar web portions 30, 31 at right angles to flanges 26. Extending at right angles to said web portions 30, 31 are flange portions 32, 33 forming grooves 35, 36, respectively.

Extending from web is a wall 38 parallel to web 20. Extending from wall 38, at right angles thereto is a wall 39 parallel to webs 30, 31. Wall 38 is in the plane of flange 32. Extending from wall 39, toward web 31 is a web 40 terminating short of said web, to form a slot 41 therewith. Extending from the inner end of web 40, in parallel relation to web 31, is a flange 42 terminating short of wall 38. 1

In the single bank construction of FIG. 1, walls 39 of the front corner posts 11 are in a common plane, and said walls 39 of the rear corner posts are in a common plane parallel to the first mentioned common plane. Also the walls 38 of the front and rear corner posts on the right side of cabinet 10 are in a common plane whereas said walls of the front and rear corner posts on the left side of the cabinet are in a common plane parallel thereto.

The bottom pan 14 comprises a rectangular bottom wall 14a from which parallel front and rear flanges 14b, extend upwardly in contact with walls 39. Extending upwardly from bottom wall 14a are parallel side flanges 14c interconnecting front and rear flanges 14b and contacting walls 38 of the corner posts.

The top pan 15 is similar to but symmetrically disposed relative to said bottom pan and comprises a top wall 15a, front and rear flanges 15b and side flanges 15c. Flanges 15b contact walls 39 whereas flanges 15c contact walls 38.

The top pan 15 may be force fitted in place at the upper end of the cabinet.

The cross-ties 13 are similar and are mounted on the bottom wall 14a of bottom pan 14 and welded thereto. Each cross-tie is made of steel and comprises a channel shaped transverse portion 49 having a bottom web 50 from which parallel vertical flanges 51 extend upwardly. Web 50 contacts bottom wall 14a. The ends 52 of flanges 51 substantially contact flanges 22, 26, respectively. Webs 50 extend somewhat beyond the ends of flanges 51, and extending upwardly from the ends of said web are vertical end flanges 53 provided with side wings 54 slidably received in aligned grooves 24, 28 of the front and rear posts.

Mounted on the upper edges of flanges 51 of brace members 13 is a flat horizontal bottom steel plate 55 having front and rear edges 5511 located at front and rear pan flanges 14b, side flanges 55b, located in the plane of the outer surfaces of outer flanges 22, 26, and corner notches cut-out around outer surfaces of webs 21, inner surfaces of inner flanges 22, 26, and inner surfaces of flanges 33 and walls 40. Plate 55 may be fixed in place in any suitable manner, as by welding to flanges 51.

The upper ends of the posts 11 may be attached together by a cross-brace 12. For large cabinets crossbraces 12 may be employed between all drawers. One of said cross-braces 12 will be described. Cross-brace 12 comprises a pair of similar cross-ties made of steel. Cross-ties 60 are similar to but symmetrically disposed with respect to cross-ties 13. Each cross-tie 60 comprises a top web 61 from which flanges 62 project downwardly. At the ends of web 61 are flanges 63 projecting downwardly and formed with wings 64 slidably received in grooves 24, 28 of the corner posts.

Cross-ties 60 are interconnected by steel cross-bars 65. Each cross-bar 65 comprises a top web 66 from which flanges 67 project downwardly. At the ends of webs 66 are extensions 68 lying on and welded to webs 61 of cross-ties 60.

The top cross-brace 12 and the intermediate crossbraces 12, when intermediate cross-braces are used, are supported in horizontal positions, in the manner hereinafter appearing.

Mounted on flat horizontal plate 55 are lower drawertraclc angle members 70 welded thereto. Each has a flat horizontal flange 70m from the outer side of which flange 70b extends upwardly. Flanges 70b are substantially in the planes of flanges 33 of the corner posts. At their front and rear ends, tracks 70 terminate close to the inner edges of flanges 26. Flanges 70b of the tracks 70 and spaced inwardly from the planes of flanges 22, 26.

The lowermost drawer (not shown) may be slid into the cabinet on the tracks 70.

Slidably mounted in grooves 24, 28 are flat similar spacer bars to rest on the upper edges of flanges 53.

Drawer-track members 76 are mounted on the upper ends of the spacer bars 75. Track members 76 each comprises a pair of brackets 77 supporting an angle member 78 similar to angle member 70. Each bracket 77 comprises a vertical flange 80 having side wings slidably received in grooves 24, 28 and resting on the upper edges of a spacer bar 75.

Extending inwardly from the lower end of each flange 80 is a flange 8'1 projecting between the inner flanges 22, 26, and underlying an end of track member 76. Angle member 78 has a horizontal flange 78a and a vertical flange 78b. Flanges 78b are in the planes of flanges 70b. Flanges 78a are directly above flanges 70a. Flanges 8-1 are welded to the undersides of flanges 78a.

The drawer above the lowermost drawer, can be slid into the cabinet to be supported on angle members 78.

Slidably mounted in grooves 24, 28 of the corner posts 11, above members 77 and resting on the top edges of flanges 80, are similar spacer bars 81. Supported on the upper ends of the spacer bars 81 is a cross-brace member 12 as shown in FIG. 1, to which angle bars 82, similar to angle bars 70 and 78, are welded, in vertical alignment therewith. For large cabinets, a cross-brace member 12 may be interposed between each pair of adjacent drawers. However, instead of interposing a brace member 12 between each pair of drawers, drawer-track members 76 may be interposed between adjacent drawers. The top cross-brace member 12 at the upper ends of the posts 11 do not carry drawer angle members.

If desired, grooves 36 could be eliminated and filled with metal up to flanges 33, since said grooves are not used either in the single bank cabinet or in the multiplebank cabinet as will appear hereinafter.

The side panels 16 are rectangular. They may be made of plastic or of vinyl or other plastic covered steel. Said panels may hence be decorative. The vertical side edges of the side panels 16 are slid down in grooves 35 of the front and rear corner posts, at each side of the cabinet. They are slid down from the top.

Said side panels 16 fit inside of the flanges 14b, 140 of the bottom pan 14 and their lower edges rest on the bottom wall 14a of said bottom pan. Flanges 53 may be screwed to webs 20 of the front and rear corner posts by screws 85.

The top panel 15 fits over the upper edges of said side panels 16.

The rear panel 17 may also be made of plastic or plastic coated steel. It comprises a rectangular central section 17a in the plane of walls 39 and disposed between walls 40 of the rear corner posts 11. Extending forwardly from the sides of said section 17a are webs 17b slidably contacting webs or walls 40. Extending outwardly from webs 17b, are webs 17c contacting webs 42. Extending forwardly from webs 170 are flanges 17d contacting the inner surfaces of walls 38 of the rear corner posts.

The rear panel fits inside of the top and bottom pans.

It will now be seen that grooves 36 are not utilized. However if the posts are made with these grooves it would permit the front corner posts to be used with walls 38 at the inside and walls 40 on the outside, in which event the side panels would fit into said grooves 36.

FIGS. 4, 6, 7 and 8 disclose multiple-bank cabinet construction, utilizing the same front and rear posts 11 at the corners and as intermediate posts between the front and rear corner posts. Side panels 16 are used in the same manner as for a single bank cabinet. However instead of using the rear panel 17 of I the single bank cabinet, a rear panel 90 is utilized. The outer sides of rear panel 90 are similar to the outer sides of panel 17 and are similarly engaged with the rear corner posts 11. However rear panel 90 has a rectangular section 90a between each pair of adjacent rear posts 11. Around the rear of each intermediate rear post 11 is a rearwardly recessed portion 90b receiving the wall 39 and parts of walls 38 and 40. With such construction there is a single rear wall or panel for the entire cabinet. The lower end of recessed portion 90b is notched as at 91 to accommodate the rear flange 14b of the bottom pan 14.

In FIG. 9 there is shown a multiple-bank cabinet construction in which an individual rear panel 94 is utilized for each bank. In such case a modified rear intermediate post 11a is used. Post 11a has a web 20a similar to web 20; a cross-web 21a similar to cross-web 21; flanges 2211 similar to flanges 22 forming grooves 23a, 24a similar to grooves 23, 24; and a cross head 25a provided with flanges 26a forming grooves 27a, 28a similar to grooves 27, 28 and aligned with grooves 23a, 24a, respectively.

Extending rearwardly from cross head 25a is a central web 95. Integrally formed withweb 95 is a cross-web 96 from which webs 97 extend rearwardly. Webs 97 are similar to webs 40. Extending from webs 97 are flanges 95 similar to flanges 41.

Rear panels 94 are similar to panels -17 except for changes hereinafter explained, at their side or sides which engage the intermediate modified post or posts 11a. Each panel 94 comprises a central rectangular section 100. The sides of panels 94 which engage corner posts 11 are the same as shown in FIG. 6. At the side or sides which engage post 11a, there extends forwardly from section 100, a web 101 contacting web 97. Extending from web 6 101 is web 102 contacting flange 98. Extending from web 102 is a flange 103 contacting central web 95.

If desired, the spacer bars 75, 81 may be omitted and in such case, the drawer track members 76 and the brace members 12 may be fixed by bolts or welding in proper positions.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an article in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A cabinet for file drawers and comprising coextensive vertical pairs of front and rear posts formed with first longitudinal grooves, upper means interconnecting said posts and having longitudinal wings slidably engaging said grooves in said posts at the upper ends of said posts, lower means interconnecting said posts and having longitudinal wings slidably engaging grooves in said posts at the lower ends of said posts, and drawer track means slidably engaging said grooves in said posts and disposed between said upper means and said lower means.

2. The combination of claim 1, and side panels slidably engaging second longitudinal grooves formed in said front and rear posts at the sides of said cabinet and disposed parallel to said first longitudinal grooves.

3. The combination of claim 2, and a rear panel slidably engaging third longitudinal grooves in a pair of said rear posts.

4. The combination of claim 1, a lower pan at the lower ends of said posts and an upper pan at the upper ends of said posts.

5. The combination of claim 1, said drawer track means comprising a plurality of drawer track members, and spacers slidable in said first longitudinal grooves on said front and rear posts and disposed between said lower means and one of said drawer track members.

6. The combination of claim 5, and spacers slidably engaging said first longitudinal grooves in said front and rear posts and disposed between another of said drawer track members and said upper means.

7. The combination of claim 6, and spacers slidable on said first longitudinal grooves of said front and rear posts and interposed between a pair of said drawer track members.

8. The combination of claim 1, and a flat plate mounted on said lower means.

9. The combination of claim 8, and one of said drawer track means being mounted on said flat plate.

10. The combination of claim 1, one or more of said posts having other longitudinal grooves to slidably engage other upper interconnecting means and other lower interconnecting means.

11. The combination of claim 1, said posts comprising aligned pairs of front and rear corner posts.

12. The combination of claim 11, and aligned intermediate front and rear posts.

13. The combination of claim 12, a rear panel slidably engaging a pair of rear corner posts.

14. The combination of claim 12, and side panels slidably engaging pairs of front and rear corner posts at the sides of the cabinet.

15. The combination of claim 1, each post having a longitudinal web, and said longitudinal grooves being aligned and disposed on one side of said web.

16. A cabinet for file drawers and comprising coextensive vertical front and rear posts, upper means interconnecting said posts and slidably engaging said posts at the upper ends of said posts, lower means interconnecting said posts and slidably engaging the lower ends of said posts, and drawer track means slidably engaging said posts, each post having a longitudinal Web, and aligned longitudinal grooves on one side of said web to slidably engage said upper and lower interconnecting means, each post having an additional longitudinal groove in a plane parallel to the plane of said aligned grooves, and a side panel having an edge slidably received in said additional groove.

17. The combination of claim 16, each post having a pair of aligned longitudinal grooves on the other side of said Web to slidably receive other upper and lower inter connecting means. i

18. The combination of claim 17, said posts having longitudinal hollow means and a rear panel having at a side thereof, portions at right angles to each other and slidably received in said hollow means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,087,771 4/1963 Pari 312350 X 3,150,903 9/1964 Chapman et al. 312-257 3,360,320 12/1967 Lust 312257 3,393,031 7/1968 Morrill 312257 X 3,404,931 10/1968 Fall et al. 312-257 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 312-257 

